SSP Best Practices - Moving media files to another SongShow Plus system - Backup / Restore

Applicable SongShow Plus Versions: 
This article applies to all versions of SongShow Plus

  * Updates related to this feature may be available. Ensure that you are using the most current build of SongShow Plus from the Download page before proceeding. *     

Periodically, users will want to move their SongShow Plus media files from one system to another, either for a system upgrade or to share the files on a new/additional system. It could also be for back up purposes to prepare for a catastrophic system failure.

We do not recommend as a first step, copying or moving SSP data files manually from one SSP system to another.  This can introduce unexpected behavior.  
The safest and most efficient way to do this is to use the SongShow Plus Backup / Restore utility.  If there are issues with the SongShow Plus Backup / Restore utility, the support team can advise you further.
The SongShow Plus Connect Sync process is an alternative that can also share most of the files.

The SongShow Plus Backup / Restore utility will allow the user to select some or all of the SSP specific content that is on the source system. The selected files will be gathered and compressed into a single file for transport. In addition to standard files such as video and image files, this process will also allow the user to move/share items that are more integral to SSP, such as Songs, Display Properties and such.  The only correct way to move these types of files is using the Backup / Restore process.

Songs in particular can be dangerous to move in other manners.  In the past, users have mentioned simply copying/pasting the Songs folder as way to move them. Some have had luck with this but because the way songs (and other SSP specific files) are stored and accessed will not always be static, what works now may not always work.

When in doubt, use the Backup/Restore utility for easy transfer of SongShow Plus related files and content.

Users may have a very large number of media files and when using the Backup/Restore utility, compressing ALL of the media and other SSP components into a single file (sometimes dozens of GBs in size) can become unwieldly and time consuming, leaving the user unsure if the backup is working as intended. 

NOTE: Best Practice is to break the process into categories to ensure each group completes as expected and make the files smaller and easier to transport. 
NOTE: Best Practice for song files is to ensure you are selecting the "Songs" option for backing up song files and NOT the "SongShow Plus Database" option. The latter has been deprecated and is only for legacy use.

BACKUP

1. Launch SSP on the SOURCE machine.
2. From the main toolbar select Tools > Backup / Restore. (IF SSP has been deactivated, you can launch this from the Windows start menu - Apps > SSP > Backup Utility)
3. Select the Backup Files option.
4. Starting at the top, select each group you want to backup (one at a time) and click Next to proceed.
5. Select a destination. The Desktop is recommended for consistency and ease.  This eliminates the possible issues with a remote destination and follows the steps provided.
6. Edit the File name to add the group that you selected (i.e. SSP Backup date - Audio Files)
7. Click Next to start the backup.
8. Once this is complete, repeat the steps with each group you want to backup.
9. Once the file(s) are complete on the Desktop they can be copied to a removable drive or other means or transport to the destination machine.
10. Move the files to the TARGET machine Desktop and proceed with the Restore process.

RESTORE

1. CONFIRM the backup files have been copied to the TARGET machine Desktop.
2. Launch SSP on the TARGET machine.
3. From the main toolbar select Tools > Backup / Restore.
4. Select the Restore Files option.
5. Select a Source. The files should be on the Desktop for consistency and ease.  This eliminates the possible issues with a remote destination and follows the steps provided.
6. Click Desktop in the Source list.
7. Locate and select the backup file from the Files Found list.
8. Click Next to confirm the files in the package.  In most cases all files should be restored. 
9. Select a option under the "If items already exist..." heading. In most cases the safe option is c to ensure all files are consistent with the source.
10. Click Next to start the Restore.
11. Once this is complete, repeat the steps with each additional group/file you want to restore.
12. Once the restore is complete click next to exit.

Training Videos - A video walk-through of this process may be available.  Depending on your current subscription level, you can go to the GoFishMedia website training page and log in with the same Customer ID and password that you use to log in to the SongShow Plus site or activate SongShow Plus. Review this article for more details.

If this article does not resolve the issue, contact the Support Team.

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